LEADERSHIP GUIDE - JULY 2021
In Mark 10:35-45, Jesus teaches His disciples that true leadership comes from a heart of serving. In this passage, brothers James and John ask Jesus if they could sit at the right and left of His glory (verse 37). They knew that Jesus was the Messiah that the Old Testament prophecies declared would one day save God’s people. James and John wanted positions of authority and power beside Jesus.
Upon hearing James and John’s request and witnessing the outrage and tension that it caused the other disciples, Jesus stepped into the moment. He taught them that true leadership comes from a counterculture heart of servanthood. As we read in Mark 10:43-45, Jesus explains that His Father sent Him to the world to serve, not to be served:
43 “...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
This is an important lesson for all of us to continue to live out Jesus’ example of leadership, which comes from a heart to serve - not from a position of control or entitlement. Jesus also teaches in Luke 22:25-27:
25 “Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.’”
As our state emerges from this pandemic, and as we prepare for the harvest of salvations that are coming, we want every Pearlside Church member to exemplify Jesus’ heart by serving so that others can come to know Jesus through us. Serving helps us to understand God’s love and enlarges our hearts for the lost whom Jesus commands us to reach. We encourage everyone to be on a serve team to help our guests feel at home in our services so that they can encounter God's love.
There are many ways to serve. Currently, we are in need in our shuttles, parking, greeting, and ushering Serve Teams, as well as in our Kids Church and next-generation ministries. Those interested can go to pearlside.org/nextstep and click on the “I Want to Join A Serve Team” button or through our Pearlside App by selecting the “Next Step” tab.
Together we can make a difference by helping people encounter God’s love as we serve.
Discussion Questions:
Share with one another the area(s) you are currently serving in. How has serving enlarged your heart for the lost and helped you to grow in your walk with God?
How can you help the Small Group members that you oversee join a Serve Team? For those already faithfully serving, is there a next step of faith they could take (i.e. become a Serve Team Lead, help encourage others to join the Serve Team they are in, etc.)?
Prayer Points:
Pray that every member of our church would have a servant’s heart like Jesus and become a faithful member of one of our Serve Teams.
Pray that we would experience a harvest of salvations like never before and people beginning the discipleship journey by joining a Small Group.
Pray by name for those you are believing will receive Jesus as Lord and Savior in this season.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Zoom Reimbursement
As the state slowly begins to reopen, we will be extending our Zoom “Pro Package” subscription reimbursements until the end of August. If you have already received your July receipt, kindly email them directly to info@pearlside.org. As we continue to move forward in faith and emerge out of this pandemic, let’s continue to encourage our groups to meet in person. Thank you, leaders, for continuing to shepherd your people well during this time.
Transformational Marriage & Parenting with Keith and Jennifer Tower
Saturday, July 24 | Pearlside Main Campus
Pastor Keith and Jennifer Tower have 25 years of marriage and 15 years of ministry experience. Pastor Keith holds a Master’s degree in Counseling, is senior pastor of Highpoint Church, and is a former NBA player. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, is an accomplished businesswoman, and leads women’s retreats around the country. The Towers have ministered internationally and throughout the U.S. with a fresh sense of humor and a unique insight into how relationships can thrive. They have two college-age daughters. For more information and to register, go to pearlside.org/life-matters.
Growth Track
Sundays, July 11-25 | Pearlside Main Campus
Our faith is not designed to be static, rather God desires all believers to grow in their faith. In Growth Track, we will learn how to follow God through the essential practices of Christianity which include; how to grow in a spiritual community, how to read the Bible, and how to pray. Growth Track is a 3 session class. For more information and to register, go to pearlside.org/classes.
Discipleship Track
Thursdays, August 5-26 | Pearlside Main Campus
Over the course of four weeks, you will gain a deeper understanding of the gospel which will transform your life, equip you for ministry in the church, and for influence in the world. For more information, take a look at this video:
